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David McK (3238 KP) rated The King's Assassin (The Outlaw Chronicles, #7) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
This, I believe, is the penultimate entry in [a: Angus Donald|584064|Angus Donald|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s 'Outlaw' series of novels dealing with the legend of Robin Hood.
If I'm honest, I also have to say that I read the title as meaning 'an assassin belonging to a King' rather than what proves to be the actual meaning: a (failed) attempt to assassinate the King (who, at this stage, is John).
As before, this is presented as the elderly Alan a Dale (now in a monastery as he has been since the opening of [b: Outlaw|17333533|Outlaw|Ted Dekker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364009572s/17333533.jpg|24064806], and by this stage dictating rather than writing himself) recalling his earlier life in the company of Robin and his men.
The main 'hook' of this particular entry in the series is the events leading up to the signing of Magna Carta, with King John proving to be an unpopular and failing ruler, especially compared to his older brother Richard ('the Lionheart'), and with Robin instrumental in bringing about the famous document.
If I'm honest, I also have to say that I read the title as meaning 'an assassin belonging to a King' rather than what proves to be the actual meaning: a (failed) attempt to assassinate the King (who, at this stage, is John).
As before, this is presented as the elderly Alan a Dale (now in a monastery as he has been since the opening of [b: Outlaw|17333533|Outlaw|Ted Dekker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364009572s/17333533.jpg|24064806], and by this stage dictating rather than writing himself) recalling his earlier life in the company of Robin and his men.
The main 'hook' of this particular entry in the series is the events leading up to the signing of Magna Carta, with King John proving to be an unpopular and failing ruler, especially compared to his older brother Richard ('the Lionheart'), and with Robin instrumental in bringing about the famous document.
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The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The Collected Works of Billy the Kid in Books
Oct 7, 2020
This is a unique hybrid of poetry and prose, mixed with both historical fact and fiction based on the true life story of the famous American outlaw William Bonney, who was better known as "Billy the Kid". You can read my full review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2014/11/15/so-fascinating-it-should-be-outlawed/
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Kurt Vile recommended On the Corner by Miles Davis in Music (curated)
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David McK (3238 KP) rated King of the North (Fire Born #4) in Books
Oct 22, 2023
I'm never really sure what to make of Angus Donald's 'Fire born' series.
Of which this is the fourth.
Personally, I think I've always preferred his Outlaw Chronicles, followed by the Holcroft Blood trilogy, with these Viking-era bringing up the rear.
Having said that, it is what it is.
In this particular entry, Bjarki and his sister Tor end up involved in the little-known (and semi-legendary) Battle of Bravellir, initially on opposite sides of the Shield Wall.
I have to say, it's a battle that I have never heard of before ...
Anyway, the result is an OK read, but (as previously stated, and for my money) the characters and history are just not as interesting as those in the Outlaw Chronicles or in the Holcroft Blood series.
I'll still probably read any future entries, though.
Of which this is the fourth.
Personally, I think I've always preferred his Outlaw Chronicles, followed by the Holcroft Blood trilogy, with these Viking-era bringing up the rear.
Having said that, it is what it is.
In this particular entry, Bjarki and his sister Tor end up involved in the little-known (and semi-legendary) Battle of Bravellir, initially on opposite sides of the Shield Wall.
I have to say, it's a battle that I have never heard of before ...
Anyway, the result is an OK read, but (as previously stated, and for my money) the characters and history are just not as interesting as those in the Outlaw Chronicles or in the Holcroft Blood series.
I'll still probably read any future entries, though.
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Olivier Assayas recommended The Outlaw and his Wife (1918) in Movies (curated)
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David McK (3238 KP) rated Outlaw (The Outlaw Chronicles, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
"Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Riding throught the Glenn
Robin Hood, Robin Hood, and his bunch of blood-thirsty murderous outlaws ..."
Doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?
"Outlaw" is the story of Robin Hood, told from the perspective of Alan Dale. Like Bernard Cornwell's series of books about King Arthur (indeed, my copy of the book even had a "As good as Bernard Cornwell or your money back" sticker on it), Outlaw is a more earthy, more 'real', telling of the famous tale. All the famous characters are here: Robin Hood, Maid Marie-Anne (Marion), Little John, Friar Tuck, Guy of Gisbourne, and (obviously) Alan Dale himself.
Forget the recent BBC adaptation, or even the '91 film starring a not-very-English Kevin Costner; this is more what Robin Hood would have been like (if he ever existed) than the over-romanticised legendary figure.
Worth a read? If you like Cornwell (or Simon Scarrow's) style of historical fiction, then my answer is a definite yes.
Robin Hood, Robin Hood, and his bunch of blood-thirsty murderous outlaws ..."
Doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?
"Outlaw" is the story of Robin Hood, told from the perspective of Alan Dale. Like Bernard Cornwell's series of books about King Arthur (indeed, my copy of the book even had a "As good as Bernard Cornwell or your money back" sticker on it), Outlaw is a more earthy, more 'real', telling of the famous tale. All the famous characters are here: Robin Hood, Maid Marie-Anne (Marion), Little John, Friar Tuck, Guy of Gisbourne, and (obviously) Alan Dale himself.
Forget the recent BBC adaptation, or even the '91 film starring a not-very-English Kevin Costner; this is more what Robin Hood would have been like (if he ever existed) than the over-romanticised legendary figure.
Worth a read? If you like Cornwell (or Simon Scarrow's) style of historical fiction, then my answer is a definite yes.
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Maggie Nelson recommended Close to the Knives: A Memoir of Disintegration in Books (curated)
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Russ Troutt (291 KP) rated Blaze (2018) in Movies
Jun 28, 2019
Watched what is definitely one of my favorite movies of the year so far recently, unfortunately it was on a little screen on my flight back to Hawaii. Name of the movie is Blaze, written and directed by Ethan Hawke, and is based on the outlaw country singer and songwriter legend Blaze Foley. If you don't add this to your watch list then I'll have to have Deputy Dawg throw you in movie jail.
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BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Outlaw Takes a Bride in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Can an outlaw find love and happiness when his life is nothing but a lie?
Springtime in Colorado, 1885. Johnny Paynter is accused of a murder and flees towards his brother’s ranch in Texas. Although when he arrives, he finds his brother Mark dead! Folk in town think that Johnny is Mark, and Johnny doesn’t correct them. He begins to start a new life as Mark and things go rather well. Until he finds out that Mark has a mail order bride on her way to Texas. Deciding that there is nothing else to do, he takes Sally as his wife and continues life as Mark Paynter. With a relationship founded on lies, how can it survive?
The foundation of any relationship should be founded on truth and honesty. If it isn’t, there is much turmoil working through the mess. But there is always hope, the Lord can heal the hurt and His mercies are new every day. We can always begin again. I have enjoyed both books that I have read by Susan Page Davis now. The Outlaw Takes a Bride is a western romance, with really good Christian principles. She reminds us that we should strive to live an honest life, but even when we mess things up, the Lord is there to forgive and restore what has been broken. This book is action packed with bandits, touching and romantic, and an overall good read!
I received a free digital copy of The Outlaw Takes a Bride from Barbour Publishing, Inc. through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Springtime in Colorado, 1885. Johnny Paynter is accused of a murder and flees towards his brother’s ranch in Texas. Although when he arrives, he finds his brother Mark dead! Folk in town think that Johnny is Mark, and Johnny doesn’t correct them. He begins to start a new life as Mark and things go rather well. Until he finds out that Mark has a mail order bride on her way to Texas. Deciding that there is nothing else to do, he takes Sally as his wife and continues life as Mark Paynter. With a relationship founded on lies, how can it survive?
The foundation of any relationship should be founded on truth and honesty. If it isn’t, there is much turmoil working through the mess. But there is always hope, the Lord can heal the hurt and His mercies are new every day. We can always begin again. I have enjoyed both books that I have read by Susan Page Davis now. The Outlaw Takes a Bride is a western romance, with really good Christian principles. She reminds us that we should strive to live an honest life, but even when we mess things up, the Lord is there to forgive and restore what has been broken. This book is action packed with bandits, touching and romantic, and an overall good read!
I received a free digital copy of The Outlaw Takes a Bride from Barbour Publishing, Inc. through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
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David McK (3238 KP) rated Morningstar in Books
May 31, 2021
The only Gemmell book I know of that was written in the first person, in which he returns to the same world as his earlier "Knights of Dark Renown" (the events of which are only mentioned in passing).
In this Robin Hood-a-like tale, he details how an outlaw (who cares for nothing and no-one save himself) becomes a hero of legend, with a bit of time-travel, sorcery and the undead all thrown into the mix!
In this Robin Hood-a-like tale, he details how an outlaw (who cares for nothing and no-one save himself) becomes a hero of legend, with a bit of time-travel, sorcery and the undead all thrown into the mix!